Lock-down Day 10

A relatively good night, probably because I went mozzie-hunting before I went to sleep. I woke around 3 to answer a call of nature, and found the power was out! Sigh.

Mippies let me sleep late again - well, it took some ignoring, but I won! Ha Ha! I got up around seven. Still no power. Boiled some water on the stove, so I could have coffee and then wondered what I'd do now. 

As I sat outside, it seemed to me there are more birds around. I mean, I heard more variety of calls than usual. Is it just me? Or is it simply that time of year? Interesting ...

Back to my mundane "what shall I do?". Oh, I could clean, do useful stuff ... in the end I sat down with my book for a while, then decided to bake another batch of muffins. 

This time, I used 3 eggs instead of 2, and I used more butter as well. I didn't measure, I'd say about double what the recipe asks (1/2 cup). With the cold, though, the butter was already solidifying when I mixed it into the dough. I finally remembered to use my new baking spatula! Until now, I'd used spoons - this time, I got more dough out of the bowl. Silly me, for forgetting all this time!

I was just putting the muffins in the oven, when the power came back. About quarter to nine - so we've been without for about six hours! Sigh, and it will only get worse, I guess ...

I should wash the dishes, but decided to come sit at the PC for a while, first. In the news, there's finally mention of the deaths resulting from police brutality. And the fact that more people have died at the hands of police, than from COVID-19.

In a statement, the police watchdog said it was investigating 38 cases against police officials for misconduct during the lockdown period from midnight on 26 March to 2 April. Six deaths as a result of unlawful police action have been reported: two deaths in Gauteng, two in KwaZulu-Natal and two in the Western Cape. This is one less than the lives claimed by COVID-19, as stated the same day by health minister Zweli Mkhize.

Also, most South Africans are convinced the lock-down will be extended. A news article makes it clearly dependent on how South Africans behave - if we DO stay at home, practice social distancing, the shorter the lock-down period. There's mention of 2-4 months! That would be devastating!

South Africa’s 21-day lockdown period could be extended by between two and four months to manage the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak effectively, according to Rapport.

Countries which have been hardest hit, have extended their lockdown periods.

Globally, coronavirus cases have extended to 1,202,715, with 64,734 deaths, and 246,648 recoveries.

In anticipation of the extension, South Africans are now urged to 'Have your say' on amending the lock-down regulations.

DearSA is collaborating with a number of civil organisations to help draft new regulations to present to government for consideration. The aim of this exercise is to achieve a compromise between civil society and government that encourages communities to cooperate while better allowing for continued economic activity and preventing civil unrest.

Not very encouraging news to wake up to! On a positive note, though, everyone world-wide seems to now encourage buying local, taking holidays locally; that everybody focus on their local economy - hopefully preventing small businesses from going bankrupt as a result of this pandemic. 

Also, more and more people world-wide are commenting about a shortage of flour! Very puzzling ...

Well, the muffins are delicious! Getting fluffier every time! Well, at least my self-baked muffins come to about half the price of the ready-mix. Well, until I find out how much cocoa would cost, at least. I'm still using what I inherited.

Oh, and I'm finally relieving your suspense: Episode 2 of the Lock-down Spring clean has begun, starting with the standard re-cap of Episode 1 = re-sweeping the floors! Now I've put the mats in the machine to wash, after I've swept as much of the dirt off them as I could. But I'm afraid, that's going to be all I'll do today ... 

Well, I did clean the kitchen again, and after the butternut soup, marinated steaks and chocolate muffins, that was quite a bit.

It seems that some people have come to realise that Essential Workers are getting paid, while we're not. Until now, the majority of the posts have been about applauding Essential Workers for the work they do - but now I see some comments FROM Nurses, Paramedics, etc, how they are separated from their families, while we get to spend quality time with ours. I just hope this won't turn ugly!

Oh, and I just realised, that I only have enough eggs left for 4 more batches of muffins - IF I use only 2 eggs! Sigh ... Ah! Found recipe's for muffins without eggs. Strangely, they use vinegar ... but then again, I also only have enough flour left for about 4 more batches. Ah, well ...

Overall, though, I'm very fortunate. I won't starve, my cats won't starve. And I don't mind the isolation, so that won't depress me. And I don't have to fear any major break-downs - as my landlord is right here as well. Like most South Africans and half the world, I've got tough times ahead - especially financially, but it's not just me. I'm also fortunate that I'm a sober alcoholic, so the ban on alcohol sales doesn't bother me - and I'm confident they'll lift the ban on the sale of cigarettes.

By five, I did my usual doom-walk through the house, spraying every mosquito I could find! Hopefully I'll have a good night. I now do that around five, because that's when mippies go out. They've entered the second stage or phase of their life now, where they sleep all day (peace for me, finally!) and come alive at dawn and dusk. At the moment, Mewthos is the last to come home. Now, at eight, they're all asleep on the bed, again. I'll have some trouble to wriggle in there myself, again!